Contact device



Nov. 19, 1940. w. w. KRAFT CONTACT' DEVICE Filed Feb. 1:5, 1946 Hiv A TToRN Y 1 "Patented Nov. 19, 1940 azzass CONTACT DEVICE Wheaton W. Kraft, Bronxville, N. Y., assig'nor to The Lummus Company, New York, N. Y., a. corporation of Delaware Application February 13, 1940, Serial No. 318,720

1 Claim. (Cl. 261-76) This invention relates to improvements in contact devices used in fractionation, distillation, absorption, extraction, stripping, and the like operations.

A In the separation of mixtures by any one of fthe above methods, it is desirable to secure as intimate a mixing as possible of the counterfiowing light and heavy fluids so that a highly efvcient and effective separation may be obtained. Intimacy of mixing, furthermore, is an important factor in the determination of both the diameter and the height -of the apparatus used. 'Ihese features are of particular importance in thedesign of fractionation and absorption columns since in such operations it is primarily the allowable vapor. velocity and the fractionation or absorption efliciencyA which control the dimensions of the column. e

As the principal feature of my invention, I provide an improved type of liquid-vapor Contact device for a. fractionating column or the like in\ whichv the velocity of the rising vapors is effectively utilized to improve the Contact between vapor and liquid so that a more, efficient fractionation results. Heretofore, so far as I am aware, particularly in fractionatingcolumns and the like operated under pressure, no use has been made of the kineticenergy of the rising vapors to produce an intimate mixing of the 4 vapors with the liquid.

vide a fractionating column or the like adapted to operate under pressure with liquid-vaporcontact devices utilizing thel principle of the injector so that the'velocity of the vapors maybe utilized high velocity cause the liquid on each deck to form a spray therewith, so that an intimate mixture of thevapors with the liquid and a thorough circulation of the liquid on each deck are obtion will appear from the followingdescription of a preferred form of embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with' the attached drawing, of which:v

A further object of my invention is to provapors iiowing through the uptake at a relatively Further objects and advantages of my 'inven- Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view of the fractionating columntaken substantially along the line I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is avertioal section through a fractionating column taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig.'1; y

Fig. 3 ,is an enlarged, vertical, sectional view of my improved contact device;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, perspective view of a modified form of my contact device;

Fig. 5 is a partial horizontal sectional view of a fractionating Column provided with the form of contact device shown in Fig. 4.

In accordance with myl invention, I have ile lustrated a fractionating column which is provided with'a plurality of spaced fractionating plates or decks I2 for the collection of downflowing liquid thereon so that establishment of the appropriate equilibrium conditions between n the rising vapors and the liquidcan be ap- Q0 proached. Each plate is provided with the cus-- tomary. downpipe I3, by means of which the liquid in the column flows from plate to plate. This downpipe extends the` requisite distance above plate I2 so that the liquid thereon is main- 25 tained at a suiiicient depth. Downpipe. I3 also extends such a distancebelow the plate I2 that its lower end I5 is below the surface .of the liquid .maintained on the platebelow, whereby a seal is formedA to prevent the 'iiow of vapors up- 30 wardly through -the downpipe. t

As the rising vapors come into contact with the liquid vmaintained on each plate I2, at any particular plate-the higher boiling components of the vapors-are condensed, and thelowei boiling components ofthe liquid are vaporized. This process makes it possible to'separate a mixture y of two or more components fed to the,v column into fractions comprising the lower and the higher boiling componentsrespectively; in addition, fractions representing components ,having intermediate boiling points may be withdrawn' from the'column as side streams.

For eiiicient fractionation of a mixture, it is necessary that an intimate mixing of the vapors with the liquid trapped on each plate be obtained; for it is the intimacyf contact of the rising vapors with the downowing liquid that determines the degree of fractionation accomplished. In accordance with 'a preferred form 50 of embodiment of my invention, .I accomplish a most intimatemixing of vapors with liquid by means of a ontact device of either vof the types more particularly illustrated in Figs..3 or 4.

'I'he improved contact device shown in Figs. 55

1 to 3 includes an uptake conduit I6 of desired cross-sectional shape, fastened in any suitable manner to the plate` I2 and in communication with an aperture I1 of corresponding cross-sectional shape and area in the plate I2. 'I'he conduit I6 extends upwardly from the plate I2 to a point a short distance below the level of liquid maintained on said plate by downpipe I3. The cross-sectional area of conduit I6, greatest at the aperture I1 in the plate I2, preferably diminishes as the liquid level is approached. The upper portion I8 of the conduit may be so constructed thatits cross-sectional area remains constant throughout its height.

An outer conduit I9 of similar but somewhat greater cross-sectionalarea surrounds conduit I6. This outer conduit may be conveniently positioned in relation to conduit I6 by means of bracing members 23. Conduit I9 also diminishes in cross-sectional area with its height. The two conduits thus form a passage through which liquid can flow as will hereinafter be described. If desirable, conduit I9 may diminish more rapidly in cross-sectional area than conduit I6 so that a passage of decreasing cross-sectional area is formed.

'Ihe lower end 20 of conduit I9 preferably ter-v minates a short distance above plate I2 as shown,

suilicient space being provided, however, so that a free flow of liquid thereunder is obtained. The upper portion 2I of conduit I9 is also preferably constructed so that it has a constant cross-sectional area similar to that of the upper portion I8 of conduit I6. This upper portion 2I is longer than the upper portion I8 and preferably extends a short distance above the liquid level. The upper portions of these two conduits form a mixing chamber or space generally designated at 22.

The two superposed conduits comprising my7 improved contact device preferably have a common axis. Although the type of contact device shown in Figs. 1 to 3 comprises two concentric substantially frusto-conical conduits, it will be understood that any other form of conduits such as nozzles may also be used. 'I'he conduits shown are preferably cylindrical in shape at their upper ends, the outer conduit being longer than the inner one, whereby a chamber 22 is formed for the mixing 'of vapors with liquid. y

The operation of the contact device is as follows: Column I0 is maintained under such a pressure that the vapors flow through conduit I6 at a relatively .high velocity. Since the pressure energyof the vapors is changed to kinetic energy during the passage of the vapors through conduit I6, the pressure in conduit I6 and in chamber 22 is considerably less than the pressure extern-al thereto. Consequently, a flow of liquid is induced by injector action through the passageway formed by the two conduits I6 and I8, and a mixing of the liquid with lthe vapors is veffected in the mixing chamber 22. Because of the high velocity at which the vapors aretraveling, a turbulent mixing effect is produced whereby an intimate mixture of liquid and vapors is formed and a better fractionation is obtained. These results are obtained by virtue of the fact that the high velocity vapors break up the liquid stream into finely divided particles, i. e.. the vapors -tend to atomize the liquid.

It will be appreciated that the vapors in their passag'through this contact device will' tend to entrain a portion of the liquid, which should vbe knocked out of the vapor stream before it progresses further. By means of a suitable staggered arrangement of rows of these contact de' vices on alternate decks, it may be possible to effect a separation of the entrained liquid from the vapors. However, I have found that it is more practicable to provide for each individual contact device some sort-of baille arrangement whereby the separation of entrained liquid particles may be'accomplished.

Accordingly, I provide a cap or baiile 24 which surmounts conduits I6 and I9. The surface of this, cap preferably slopes downwardly and outwardly fromthe center thereof, and the maximum cross-sectional area is somewhat greater than that of conduit I 9. The lower edge 25 of this cap is above the liquid level and may be either above or belowv the upper edge 26 of conduit I9. Supporting members 28 may be provided so that the cap 24 may be conveniently fastened to conduit I9.

Batlle 24, which is positioned a. short distance above conduit 2|, serves to reverse sharply the direction of flow of the vapor stream and thereby to knock out the entrained liquid, which collects on the surface of the baille and coalesces thereon.

' This liquid ows along the downwardly sloping surface of the baille and tends to drop off into the liquid below. So that the vapors passing out from under the baiiie will not have to pass through the liquid screenthat would be thus produced, the liquid is preferably allowed to collect in a gutter or channel 29 and to drop down to the liquid.v

below inone or two small streams. For this purpose, gutter 29 may be provided with one or more notches 29a as desired.

It will be seen that the liquid nearest the plate will ow into the passageway between the two conduits first and that a continuous circulation of all the liquid on the plate will thereby be effected. This circulation is produced primarily by two causes: the induced iiow of liquid caused by the injector `action of the flow of vapors through conduit I6 and the consequent atomization on breaking up of the liquid stream, and the syphon effect resulting from the 'difference in liquid densities created by the flow of th'e vapors.

A deck provided with a plurality of these contact devices acts somewhat like a' modified perforated plate. It eliminates, however, the bumping and surging eil'ects occurring when a perforated plate column is .operated at low capacity.

In comparison with the customary types of bubble caps and the like, I find that the use of my improved contact device effects a reduction in size of the equipment necessary to carry out the fractionation. Because of the higher allowable vapor velocity and the more intimate mixing accomplished, a column of smaller diameter may be employed. It will be found that, for a "given fractionation, the column height will be -somewhat lass because of the more ancient fractionation obtained. It is also possible to space these contact devices closer together on a plate contact device rectangular in form as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

This form of embodiment comprises a conduit 30-and a vconduit; 3| eachv of rectangular cross-sectional area. Their construction is such that they form a mixing chamber or space 32 minating at a pointbelow the liquid level on said similar' to 22. Preferably'the conduits y' are fastenedr together at their as solvent extraction, absorption, and the like.

ends as at "32. A esp Il surmounts 'conduit 3| thereto by means ot supporting members I8. A gutter 42, conveniently open at the ends, is provided to allow the liquid coalescing on cap Iii to drop down.

It is also within the scope'- of my invention to evice for liquid-liquid contactsY such The construction and operation of the contact device would in same. V A

While I have shown preferred forms of embodiment of my invention, I am aware that modiiications may be made thereto, and I, therefore, desire albro'ad interpretation of my invention within the scope and spirit of the description herein and matter.

I claim: I

In combination with an apertured deck for use in fractionating columns and the like, said oi' the claim appended heredeck having a downpipe to-'maintain a depth ofv liquid thereon,.a contact'device including two separate, concentric conduits of relatively uni-V form thickness, the inner conduit comprising a uid uptakeconduit in communication with an aperture in said deck, said inner conduit ter and is fastened such cases be substantially the.

deck, the outer`conduit4 being of greater crosssectional area than the uptake conduit and forming therewith a passageway for liquid, the lower edge oi' said outer conduit being positioned above and out ot contact with said deck, the lower portion of each conduit having a cross-sectional area which decreases at a constant rate with height andthe upper portion ofv each conduit having a cross-sectional-area which remains constant with height, the upper portion of the outer conduit extending above the liquid 'level and forming a mixing chamber, and the upper portions of each conduit being partly coextensive,

'whereby liquid is induced to ow through said passageway by the flow of iluid through said uptake conduit and to intimately mix with the uidin said mixing chamber, means to position the outercondu'it with relation to the inner conduit, a baille to separate entrained liquid from l. the fluid, means to support said baille above the conduits. the surface of said baille sloping down- Wardly and outwardly from the center thereof,

and ange-like means on the inner edge of said" baille and projecting upwardly therefrom to collect and remove the entrained liquid separated from the uid vpassing outwardly from said contact device.

WHEATO'N W. KRAFT. 

